Tweakers' Asylum

Posted by carcass93 (A) on August 15, 2011 at 09:41:50

First - couple of warnings:

1. It should be pretty clear from the subject line what this post is about. If you're offended by this topic - right now is good time to hit "Back" button on your browser.
2. I have no idea how - and why - it works, but then I'm software developer, not electrical engineer. I'll leave it to more qualified members to try to explain/speculate what's going on there (looking at Unclestu here).

With these out of the way:

Until recently, when experimenting with crystals, I assumed (turns out, incorrectly) that if particular kind of crystals works best on particular position in the system, then the same kind will work best on ALL such positions. After accumulating nice variety (probably 20 different kinds) and listening more carefully, I must conclude that at least for transformers, that's not true.

While in amp, preamp (autoformer-based passive) and CD player I currently prefer Orange Calcite, on all other transformers (isolation, power conditioner and Hammond chokes) the best sounding crystal is Sodalite. The most curious case is chokes, of course. The tweak is simple - take relatively large chunk of Sodalite, longest side about 2-2.5", and place on top of the choke. In my system, much smaller or much bigger pieces don't work as well.

What I noticed after treating all 4 chokes I have on the line:

- increased overall resolution;
- bigger, especially higher, soundstage, with increased 3-dimensionality;
- more prominent bass;
- increased volume (very noticeable).

Of course, other crystals that improve sound when placed over transformers (of what I have that would be Orange Calcite and Rose Quartz) will work too, it's just that Sodalite gives by far the most dramatic effect in my system.